Robert Bly named Minnesota's first poet laureate

Governor Tim Pawlenty named Robert Bly as Minnesota's first poet laureate calling Bly "a Minnesota treasure." This means Bly, 81, may use his new official position to promote the reading and writing of poetry and to preside over poetry contests and award ceremonies. He may also write poetry or designate other poets to compose works for significant state occasions and other state functions as he sees fit.

In an interview, Bly said he didn't have any specific plans for his new position other than "Just to stay alive, I guess, is about it."

That sounds like a good plan for this distinguished poet who's written more than 30 books on poetry and a prose best seller he's best known for, "Iron John: A Book About Men." The Governor further stated, "His many works, impressive 40-year career, and national reknown will help promote poetry in Minnesota."

Now isn't that a great reason for staying alive? Check out Robert Bly's site at http://www.robertbly.com

Poet Laureate Charles Simic on Writing Poetry

A few things to keep in mind while sitting down to write a poem:

1. Don't tell the readers what they already know about life.
2. Don't assume you're the only one in the world who suffers.
3. Some of the greatest poems in the language are sonnets and poems not many lines longer than that, so don't overwrite.
4. The use of images, similies and metaphors make poems concise. Close your eyes, and let your imagination tell you what to do.
5. Say the words you are writing aloud and let your ear decide what word comes next.
6. What you are writing down is a draft that will need additional tinkering, perhaps many months, and even years of tinkering.
7. Remember, a poem is a time machine you are constructing, a vehicle that will allow someone to travel in their own mind, so don't be surprised if it takes a while to get all its engine parts properly working.

This is from the Library of Congress Poetry website.

Well, I just finished tinkering with a 109-line poem, my longest by far, and now I learn a poem ought not be longer than a sonnet. I don't even know how to write a sonnet. Ooooooh, yoo-hoo, David Pitchford-of-the-bestest-and-wittiest-sonnets, where for art thou?! Yoo-hoo?!? You must trot right over to Bitterhermit's Hideout right now - read some of the most well-thought out sonnets on-line. Truth.